Slug, slot, and aperture for check controlled apparatus



July 16, 1935. o. H. GOETZ 2,008,416

SLUG, SLOT AND APERTURE FOR CHECK CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed Nov. 1, 1933 V 05662 H 606%2 mun!!! I- Patented July 16, 1935 SLUG, SLOT, AND APERTURE FOR CHECK CONTROLLED APPARATUS Oscar H. Goetz, Park Ridge, 111., assignor to Yale Slot& Slug 00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application November 1, 1933, Serial No. 696,171

15 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in slugs and slug receiving slots and apertures for check controlled apparatus, such as telephone pay stations, etc.

Considered in certain broader aspects, the invention has, as one of its objects, to provide a double coded arrangement wherein the slug must pass through two separate openings arranged in series, both of which openings are coded. For example, in the preferred construction, the slug must first pass edgewise through a slot which is coded and must then pass flatwise through an aperture which is also coded.

I Another object of the invention is to provide an improved construction which will prevent the possibility of a coin or unauthorized slug getting into position where it would obstruct or block'the second opening, 1. e., the coded aperture through which the authorized slugs pass flatwise. This coded aperture preferably has its wards or code members in the form of a projection or projections extending inwardlyaro-und the inner periphery of the aperture, and, correspondingly, the slug has an appropriate recess or recesses formed around its outer periphery to receive the aforesaid projection or projections in order to pass flatwise through the aperture. In constructions to which the present invention has particular application, the slug is first introduced edgewise down 39" through a top slot which guides the slug down into approximate registration with the coded aperture, the slug being then pushed back flatwise through this coded aperture. The feature of first passing the slug down through the top slot has certain advantages, such as enabling the slug to be brought into proper registration with the coded aperture with greater facility, enabling the coded arrangement of the aperture to be substantially concealed from view, and enabling the slug to be placed in a position of readiness, prior to the initiation of the call, for subsequent movement back through the coded aperture.

This top slot feed of the slug to the coded aperture is one of the features of my invention, either with or without a coded arrangement of the top slot itself. However, the coded arrangement of the top slot'is preferable, in order vto avoid the aforementioned possibility of obstructing or block- I ing the coded aperture by the insertion of a coin or unauthorized slug. It will be evident that if a coin or unauthorized slug is permitted to pass down through the top slot, it will arrive at a position in front of the coded aperture, but being unable to pass back flatwise through this aperture, it will remain in an obstructing or blocking authorized slug be pushed or fished back up out of the slot, which may' be a difficult or tedious operation. Such is avoided, by also coding the top slot so that only an authorized slug can pass therethrough.

Another object of the invention is to'provide an improved arrangement for guiding or feeding slugs into a position of proper registration with a coded aperture, thereby facilitating the use of such slugs and apertures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above general description which is in the form of a simple,-unitary attachment that can be readily secured to the telephone coin box or other coin controlled apparatus.

Other objects and advantages of the inventionwill appear from the following" detail description of certain preferred embodiments thereof. In

the accompanying drawing illustrating such-em bodi'ments:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a typical Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view, on a larger scale, showing the coin receiving housing which is mounted on top of the coin box, and illustrating my improved attachment-secured thereto;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view at right angles thereto, partly in elevation and partly in section, taken approximately on the plane of the line 4-4 of Figure 3; I

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of one form of improved slug;

Figure 6 is 'aview similar to Figure 2, on a. still larger scale, and illustrating another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line .l-l of Figured;

Figure 8 is a somewhat similar view illustrating another modified construction; and V Figure 9. is a detail view showing the improved arrangement for facilitating registration between the slug and the coded aperture of the construc-.

and M in the front face thereof. Each aperture opens into a downwardly extending passageway or chute which is substantially co-extensive with the corresponding coin chute in the box B, one of these upper passageways being indicated at E5 in Figure 3. A small hole it is usually provided to open into each chute passageway !5 through theback wall of the housing H. The housing ii is intended to represent any typical or standard construction of coin receiving housing mounted on the coin receiving box B. Such housing may be a unitary casting, or may consist of front and back sections riveted together. In ordinary practice, this housing has base flanges or ears ll which are riveted to the top of the box B, and

frequently has depending lugs l8 adapted. to register with openings in the top of the coin box. Numerals appearing through the apertures i 2, I3 and M designate that these apertures are for receiving 5e, 10 and 25 coins, respectively. It is the customary practice to convert only the 5 or nickel aperture [2 to slug use, and accordingly I shall describe my invention in connection with this aperture, although it will be understood that the invention might also be adapted to the other aperture l3. V

"In adapting this aperture to the exclusive reception of coded slugs, I place an attachment device 2! down over the housing I I in registration with the aperture l2. This attachment device includes a plate 22 bent into inverted U-shaped outline to define the front wall 22a, thetop 'wall 22b, and the back wall 220. The attachment assembly also includes an inner or back plate 23 and a spacing plate 24 which is interposedbetween the plate 23 and the front wall portion 22a. These three parts 22a, 23 and 24 are rigidly secured together by riveting; soldering or brazing. After the :at tachment 22 has been slipped down over the housing II, it is secured in place, preferably by rivets 25 which pass through the three parts 22c,

.both side edges of the slot. This illustrates a conventional coding arrangement now extensively separated grooves'zfi on its opposite sides for accommodating theprojectio'ns Si and S2. The

slug,'in' being insertedthrough the slot S, passes down through an open slot in the top portion 223 of .the' plate ZZand drops into a cavity or pocket 29 which is defined between thespaced outer and inner plates, 22a and 23. Said cavity is formed within the filler plate 2E, the substantially rounded lower portion of this cavity continuing up with straight sides .29 (Figure 4) substantially to the end marginsof the slot 5. r

The slug having passed down into the cavity 29 ishow at the intermediate point. of its travel, being in position to bepushed back through the coded aperturea 7 This coded aperture is designated .A and consists of an opening in the inner plate 23, through which jopeningthe slug is to be passed .flatwise. This aperture may be coded by the provision of a-single tooth or-projection Al, such as is illustrated in Figures 3, ,4 and 7, or it may be cod d y the provision of a multiplicity of teeth or projections A24, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, with such multiplicity of teeth preferably uniformly spaced. In this regard, attention .is directed to my co-pending application, Serial No. 693,483, filed October 13, 1933, as illustrating one embodiment of a peripherally coded aperture and a peripherally coded slug. Referring again to the construction illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the aperture Ais of true circular form except at the bottom, and at this point the tooth AI projects upwardly or inwardly from the peripheral surface of the aperture. In order to code the slug 2'! correspondingly to pass through the coded aperture A, the periphery of the slug is slotted or notched Because of the fact that the grooves 28 substantially predetermine the angular position or motion of the slug down into the cavity 29, it is practicable to provide one or just a few recesses 3| at diametrically opposite sides of the slugsubstantially in the region of the ends of the grooves 28. However, I find it preferable to provide the entire periphery of the slug with uniformly spaced recesses, such being represented by the tooth spaces 3! between the uniformly spaced teeth 32.

The curved bottom of the cavity 29 lies flush with the curved bottom portion of the coded aperture A, and a matchingtooth Al projects upwardlyfrom the filler plate 24 so as to be disposed within the cavity 29 in exact registration with the code tooth Al in the aperture A. The latter tooth-AS serves as a device for automatically effecting proper registration between one of the tooth spaces 3! of the slug and the code tooth A! of the aperture A. That is to say, as the slug'drops down into the bottom of the cavity as, the tooth projection A! tends to enter one of the tooth spaces3l in the slug, thereby lining up this tooth space directly with the code tooth Al of the aperture A. The tip ends of the tooth Al and of the slug teeth 32 are preferably relatively narrow or pointed to facilitate this registering operation. With one of the tooth spaces 3! now properly registering with the tooth projection AL'the slug is free to be pushed back through the aperture A and through the aperture 92 of the housing into the downwardly extending passageway it. The front plate portion 22a of the attachment has a circular opening 34 therein through which the tip of the finger can be inserted for thus pressing the slug flatwise back through the coded aperture A and the housing aperture 12. The opening 34 issmaller than the maximum diameter of the coded'aperture A so as to prevent the insertion of slugs directly through this front opening 35, the smaller diameter of the latter also serving to conceal the coded formation A! from view. The maximum diameter of the slug 2?, measured from tip to tip of diametrically oppositelteethBZ, can be made the same as the coin adapted for ordinary reception in the box, thereby assuring that the slug will be emcacious to close circuit controlling contacts or to release looking or tripping mechanisms in the same manner as the coin. The maximum diameter of the coded aperture would be slightly larger than this slug diameter for proper clearance.

It will be observed that it is impossible to drop down through the top slot S a coin, or any slug which does not have the transverse face grooves Should any unauthorized slug, such as one having the face grooves 28 but not having the peripheral recesses 3!, be inserted through the top slot, such slug will be incapable of passing through the coded aperture A. Such a slug would come into position with its bottomiedge resting on the top of the tooth projection Al and this would preclude the slug beingpassed back through the aperture A. That is to say,'the top. edge ofthe slug would then lie in front of the top edge of the aperture and would thereby preclude the slug being pushed back. through the aperture.

In Figures 6 and 7, I have. illustrated a modifled construction wherein the top slot 3 is coded to cooperate with the peripheral recesses 3! of the slug 2'1, such slug not having the face grooves 28.. 'As shown in Figure'Z, one end margin of the slot, preferably the righthand end, is formed with an inwardly extending tooth projection which is adapted .to engage one of the peripheral tooth spaces 3| of theslug. The undersideof this, projection is beveled upwardly to a relatively sharp edge to iacilitate the entrance of the tooth projection into said space. 3!. The length of the slot S is proportioned so that the slug cannot be inserted downthrough said slot unless one of the tooth spaces 3| is engaged over. the code promotion-'33. The slug can then-be swiveled or revolved down through the slot around the projection 3B. In the preferred construction, a tongue of metal 37 is punched downwardly from the opposite end of the slot to provide an ex tended guide surface 38 down which the adjacent side of the slug can slide in this rolling movement of the slug. The dotted circle C in Figure 7 indicates. a coin or ordinary slug of the same diameter as the slug. 21, and it will be noted that such coin or ordinary slug is incapable of being passed down through the slot S. After the slug has dropped down into the bottom of the cavity 29, it can be pushed back through the coded aperture A in the same manner as above described. Figure 7 illustrates the aperture A provided with the single tooth projection Ai, and illustrates the bottom of the cavity provided with the registering projection Al. The coded relation between this aperture and the peripherally serrated slug will be manifest from the foregoing description.

Figures. 8 and 9 illustrate a modified construe tion wherein the entire inner periphery of the aperture A is provided with inwardly extending teeth A24 for registration with each of the tooth spaces 3! of the slug 21. The advantage of such aconstruction is that a wide variety of coded arrangements can be obtained by merely increasing or decreasing the total number of tooth projections A24 within the aperture and the total number of tooth spaces 3! around the slug, substantially as described'in my above mentioned co-pending application, Serial No. 693,483. As shown in Figure 9, the spacer plate 26 is provided with the registering or aligning tooth projection Al disposed in alignment with a lower one of the tooth projections A25 to effect automatic registration between the teeth of the aperture and the spaces of the slug, as previously described. The multiple tooth aperture disclosed in Figures 8 and Q'may have the coded slot of Figure 2 associated therewith, in which event the slug 21, illustrated in Figure 5-, would be employedyor it may have the slot arrangement of Figure 7 associated therewith, in which event the slug 2?. of Figure '7 could be employed. In constructionsemp-loying the grooved slug 2'! of Figure 5, the number of coded combinations can be increased considcrably by changing the spacing between the grooves 28 and by providing one or more grooves on only one side or on both sides ofthe slug. a Numerous other modifications and rearrangements may be adopted without departing from the essence of the invention, it being understood that the embodiments disclosed, while preferable, are only exemplary of some of the broaderfeatures of the invention. While my invention has its principal utility in connection with telephone pay stations, it will be understood that it also has utility in connection with vending machines and other coin or slug controlled apparatus.

I c1aim: I l. The combination with a housing includinga chute, of a slot and an aperture arranged in series in the order named and adaptedto have slugs passed therethrough for entry into said chute, said slugs first passing edgewise through said slot and thereafter substantially flatwise through said aperture, means for coding said slot against passage of unauthorized slugs, means for coding said aperture against passage of unauthorized slugs. comprising a projection in said aperture adapted to register with a peripheral recess in the authorized slug, and means adjacent to said aperture for effecting registration between said recess in the slug and said projection in the aperture.

series and adapted to have a slug passed therethrough for entry into said passage, said slug passing substantially edgewise through saidslot and passing substantially flatwise through said aperture, a pocket receiving the slug from said slot and positioning it for passage through said aperture, a code projection preventing the passage of unauthorized slugs through said-slot, a code projection associated with said-aperture and said pocket preventing the passage of unau: thorized slugs through said aperture, and a slug recessed to accommodate said projections.

3. The combination witha housing including a passage, of a slot and an aperture arranged in. series and adapted to have a slug passed therethrough for entry into said passage, said slug.

passing substantially edgewise through said slot and passing substantially fiatwise through said aperture, 2. pocket receivingthe slug from said slot and positioning it for passage, through said aperture, code means preventing the passage of unauthorized slugs through said slot, code means preventing the passage of unauthorized slugs through said aperture, a slug coded to acco-mmo date said code means, and registering means in said pocket for effecting registration between the code means of said aperture and the companion code formation and said slug. i i

4. The combination with a housing including a chute, of a peripherally coded aperture communicating with said chute, a peripherally coded slug adapted for introduction through said aperture to said chute, said slug passing substantially flatwise through said aperture, a passageway for guiding the slug into position in front of said aperture, :2, registration tooth in the bottom of,

said passageway for effecting registration between the peripheral code formations of theaperture and sing, and a slot throughwhich said slug is passed edgewise into said passageway.

5. The combination with a housing including a chute, or" an aperture communicating with said 2. The combination with a housing including a passage, of a slot and an aperture arranged in chute, a code projection in said aperture, a slug.

adapted for introduction throughsaid apertureto said chute, said, slug having a'recess for ac-.

commodating said code projection, a passageway for guiding the slug into position in front of said aperture, and a registering device cooperating with said passageway for bringing the recess of said slug into registration with the code projection in said aperture.

6. The combination with a housing including a chute, of a peripherally coded aperture communicating with said chute, a peripherally coded slug adapted for introduction through said aperture to said chute, said slug passing substantially fiatwise through said aperture, a passageway for guiding the slug into position in front of said aperture, and registering means cooperating with said passageway for causing the coded portion of said slug to register properly with the coded. portion of said aperture.

'7. The combination with a housing including a chute, of a passageway communicating with said chute and adapted to have slugs passed therethrough for entry into said chute, the slug being moved edgewise through said passageway, said slugs each having a recess extending inwardly from the peripheral edge of the slug, and a attachment for converting said coin-receiving 35 housing into a slug-receiving housing comprising inner, intermediate and outer plates secured to the front of said housing over said opening, said inner plate having an aperture therein in substani tial registration with said opening, a code tooth projecting inwardly from the periphery of said aperture, said intermediate plate having a pocket therein the lower portion of which is in substantial registration with said aperture and said intermediate plate also having a slot at its upper end through which the authorized slugs are inserted for dropping by gravity into said pocket, 9; registration tooth projecting upwardly from the bottom of said pocket for causing proper registration between the authorized slug and the code tooth in said aperture, a code projection associated with one of the side margins of said slot, said outer plate having a hole therein through which the finger can be inserted for pushing the slug from said pocket through said aperture and through said opening into said chute, and an authorized slug having a transverse face groove therein for accommodating the code projection associated with said slot and having a peripheral recess therein for accommodating the registration tooth and the code tooth in said pocket and in said aperture.

9. The combination with a coin-receiving housing having a chute in the rear portion of said housing and an opening in the front wall of said housing communicating with said chute, of an attachment for converting said coin-receiving housing into a slug-receiving housing comprising inner, intermediate and outer plates secured to the front of said housing over said opening, said inner plate having an aperture therein in substantial registration with said opening, said intermediate plate having a pocket therein the lower portion of which is in substantial registration with said aperture, and said intermediate plate also having a slot at its upper end through which the authorized slugs are inserted for drop ping by'gravity into said pocket, a tooth projecting upwardly from the bottom of said pocket, said outer plate having a hole therein through which the finger can be inserted for pushing the slug from said pocket through said aperture and through said opening into said chute, and an authorized slug having a'peripheral recess therein for accommodating the tooth projecting upwardly from the bottom of said pocket.

10. The combination with a coin-receiving housing having a chute in the rear portion of said housing and an opening in the front wall of said housing communicating with said chute, of an attachment for converting said coin-receiving housing into a slug-receiving housing comprising a plurality of plates secured to the front of said housing over said opening, one of said plates hav-'- ing a pocket therein in substantial registration with said opening and having a slot at its upper end through which the authorized slugs are inserted for dropping by gravity into said pocket, a tooth projecting upwardly from the lower portion of said pocket,on'e of said plates having a hole therein through which the finger can be inserted for pushing the slug from said pocket through said opening and into said chute, and an authorized slug having a peripheral recess therein for accommodating the tooth in said pocket.

11. The combination with a coinrec'eiving housing having a chute in the rear portion of said housing and an opening in the front wall .of said housing communicating with said chute, of an attachment for converting said coin-receiving housing into a slug-receiving housing comprising a casing secured to the front of said housing over said opening, a pocket in said casing in substantial registration with said opening, a slot in said casing above and communicating with said pocket, through which slot the authorized slugs are inserted for dropping by gravity into said pocket,

'a code projection in said pocket, a code projection associated with said slot, said casing having a hole in the front wall thereof through which the finger can be inserted for pushing the slug from said pocket through said opening and into said chute, and an authorized slug having a transverse face groove therein for accommodating the code projection associated with said slot and having a peripheral recess therein for accommodating the code projection in said pocket.

12. The combination with a' coin-receiving housing having a chute in the rear portion of said housing and an opening in the front wall of said housing communicating with said chute, of an attachment for converting said coin-receiving housing into a slug-receiving housing comprising a casing secured to the front of said housing over said opening, a pocket in said casing in substantial registration with said opening, a slot in said casing above and communicating with said pocket, through which slot the authorized slugs are inserted for dropping by gravity into said pocket, a code projection in said pocket, said casing having a hole in the front Wall thereof through which the finger can be inserted for pushing the slug from said pocket through said opening and into said chute, and-an authorized slug having a peripheral recess therein for accommodating the code projection in said pocket.

13. In combination, a housing including a chute, a slot in the upper portion of said housing through which the authorized slugs are first in-' serted, a pocket in said housing into which the slugs are discharged by gravity from said slot,

said pocket communicating with said chute and the slugs coming to rest in said pocket forwardly of said chute, said housing having a hole therein through which a finger can be inserted for pushing the slug from said pocket into said chute, a code projection associated with said slot, a code projection associated with said pocket, and a slug recessed to accommodate both code projections.

14. In combination, a housing including a chute, a slot in the upper portion of said housing through which the authorized slugs are first inserted, a pocket in said housing into which the slugs aredischarged by gravity from said slot, said pocket communicating with said chute and the slugs coming to rest in said pocket forwardly of said chute, said housing having a hole therein through which a finger can be inserted for pushing the slugs from said pocket into said chute, a code projection extending upwardly from the lower portion of said pocket and adapted to engage in a peripheral recess in the authorized slug,

pocket and adapted to engage the upper rear edge of any unauthorized slug not having a peripheral recess therein capable of fitting down over said code projection, whereby to prevent said unauthorized slug from being pushed from said pocket back into said chute 15. In combination, an authorized slug having a peripheral recess therein, a housing including a chute, a slot in said housing through which the authorized slug is first inserted, a pocket in said housing into which the slugs are discharged by gravity from said slot, said pocket communicating with said chute and the authorized slug coming to rest in said pocket forwardly of said chute, said housing having a hole therein through which a finger can be inserted for pushing the slug from said pocket into said chute, the slot being of shorter length than the maximum diameter of said authorized slug and including a code projection at one end of said slot for engaging in the peripheral recess of said slug, and a code projection associated with said aperture adapted to be received in said peripheral recess.

OSCAR H. GOETZ.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,008,416., July 16, P935.

OSCAR H. GQETZ.

it is hemby certified that error appears in the printed spmzificatien of the above numbered paten? requiring cerrectiim as folluws: Page 3,, second wlumn, line 58, claim 3, for "and" read on; and that the said Letters; Patent should be read with this correctiun therein that the same may conform m has yemrd of the case in the Patent Gifice.

Signed and sealed this 20th day of August. A, I). 1935.

(Sea!) Acting iiommissiwner of Patents. 

